Flexible metallic strap



Julie 9, 1931. w. FORSTNER 1,803,920

FLEXIBLE METALLIC STRAP Filed Dec. 1. 192a INVENTOR WW5: I

Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED STATE WILLIAM FORSTNER, OF IBVINGTON, NEW?JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO FORSTNER CHAIN CORPORATION, OF IEVIIEGIC N, NEWJERSEY FLEXIBLE METALLIC STRAP Application filed December 1, 1928.Serial No. 323,182.

This invention relates to flexible metallic straps as used forornamental personal wear, such as bracelets, belts, wrist watchbracelets, dress ornaments and other devices of like character.

One object of the invention is to provide a strap composed of thin wireswoven to produce a fine mesh whereby lightness in weight, smoothness oftouch, ventilation and desirable flexibility is attained in theunderlying portion, and to arrange the same in a manner to engage aplurality of facing plates which act effectively to protect the edges ofthe strap.

A further feature is in the provision of such face plates in formsinexpensive to construct, that are attached in a positive manner to thestrap without solder or other extraneous means, and which are readilysusceptible of any desiredornamentation, as by enamelling, engraving orthe like.

Another purpose is to produce an ornamental strap which may be of anywidth and length, and so combined with facing 5 plates as to preventbreaking or unravelling of the fine wires at the edge, and having clipsat the ends which perform a similar function.

These several advantages are attained by the novel construction andcombination of few and simple parts as hereinafter described and shownin the annexed drawings, forming a material )art of this disclosure,

and in which t Figure l is a plan View of an end portion of a strap madein accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same taken in a planecentral of one of the facing or guard plates.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plate blank in detail.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the same after the first bendingoperation.

Figure 5 is another like view thereof, showing the plate in itscompleted form.

The ground work or underlying portion of the strap consists of aribbon-like strip 10 of'fine wires, asgold, silver or plated metal,woven diagonally and preferably with selvages 11 the strip being ofsuitable width so that when its edge portions 12 are folded over, thecurved elements 13. constitute the edges of the finished article.

The facing or guard plates 14 are blanked by ordinary die stampingprocesses, as shown in Figure 3, the central element be ing preferablyof lesser length than the full width of the strap, and the opposed endedges of the central portion may be I of any desired configuration orplain, as indicated.

Integral with the side edges of the plate are shorter portions 15 to bebent along the lines 16 at right angles and again bent along the line 17to present the end elements 18 in parallel with the plate 14.

The rear elements 18 are shown as being preferably longer than the frontplate 14 and their edges brought into close relation, as seen best inFigure 5; it is also to be noted that the length of the elements 15 isequivalent to the distance between the selvages 11,

while the distance between the adjacent su'rfaces of the elements 14 and18 is slightly greater than the thickness of the mesh 10.

The meshed strap having been formed as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thesocket'elements, as clearly shown in Figure 5 ares moved in the mannerof slides to engage the strap, the elements 15 being brought intojuxtaposition and the interlocking of the parts is obviously ample toretainthe assembled parts as shown in Figure l.

Clips are provided at the ends of the strap to prevent the plates fromsliding off, the same being shown as consisting of a tubular member 19havlng opposed parallel strips 20 adapted to be pressed with sufii'cientforce narrow as compared with the strap, a deposed in closely assembledrelation and besirable flexibility length-Wise the strap is ing of equalwidth.

secured.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto af- Attention is directed to theeconomical fixed my signature.

5 construction of the device, including its assemblage, and also to theabsence of solder, brazing or like securing means, such being whollyunnecessary.

As changes of construction could be made Within the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoingdescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative or not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A strap comprising a woven wire mesh strip having inturned edges, aplurality of slides each having parts engaged under said inturned edges,said slides being formed of uniform width from sheet material andarranged in close edge relation, and a face plate integral with theslide to extend partially over the said edges.

2. A flexible strap comprising a meshed strip of wires woven diagonallyand having its longitudinal edge portions folded inwardly in spacedrelation to the main portion, and a plurality of metal slides shaped toform an integral socket open at both ends to slidably engage on the edgeportions of said strip.

3. A flexible strap comprising a meshed strip of wires woven diagonallyand having its longitudinal edge portions folded re-entrantly, aplurality of slides each having side members to engage between theadjacent edges of the strip, a facing plate on 40 said slide to extendpartially over said reentrant edges, and a rear plate on the slide toextend into the folds of said edges.

4;. A flexible metallic strap comprising a woven wire strip havinginturned selvaged 4 5 edges, a plurality of narrow uniformly flat platesdisposed transversely of said strip to extend over its inturned edgesand space therebetween in juxtaposed relation, said plates being oflesser length than the width of said strip to disclose marginal portionsadjacent both inturned edges, means for slidably confining said platesthereto, and means at the ends of said strip to retain said platesthereon. 7

a5 5. A flexible metallic strap comprising a woven wire strip havinginturned selvage portions, a plurality of narrow slides formed fromsheet metal having relatively .long inner elements engaged between saidinturned (10 edges and the main portion of said strip,

$6. edges of said strip, said slides being juxta- WILLIAM FORSTNER.

